LR Curing Question?

[Mike 1911A1]

I am curing about 50# of LR in a rubbermaid tub. The first 3 days or so I did full water changes as the ammonia levels were very high. After about 3 days, the ammoinia went to 0 but the nitrites went through the roof.

Question#1: Should I do water changes (partial or full) to reduce the nitrite level or should I keep the water and allow the bacteria to build that eat the nitrite?

Questions#2: How long after the ammonia goes to zero should it take for the bacteria that eat nitrite to build?

Feedback is appreciated.

Mike

 

[TekCat]

Q1: Yes! Dillution is the solution! As far as bacteria goes, you're not going to loose much by performing water changes. Most of it lives on LR surfaces. Only small amount of bacteria is free floating. With water changes you'll save lots of life. However, there are some that prefer not to do water changes at all.

Q2: do not know the answer to that, but in my case it took around 2 weeks. Of course, everyone's experience differ a bit.

Good luck

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Tek, I agree that I will not lose much bacteria in doing water changes. Is there an argument that removing all or part of the nitrite will stagnate the bacteria growth by removing the food source?

Mike

 

[TekCat]

Consider this, you do not do water changes, cycle ends and you have an army of bacteria to battle high nitrites. Then things slow down, not much nitrites get produced (assuming you will be stocking your tank slow) and the army of bacteria will starve and most of it will die. So, at the end you'll have exactly the same amount of beneficial bacteria that is directly proportionate to your current bio-load.
As far as food source for nitrifying bacteria goes - during cycle it is the decaying matter. Until you have die off - there will be plenty of food for bacteria.

 

[One Eyed Bunny]

1. I'm one of those people TekCat spoke about. I perfer to have the tank settle itself. However, water changes won't hurt and will speed up the process at which your nitrites fall to 0.

2. There's not formula unless you're able to calculate the exact amount of die-off that has occured. This is a nearly impossible measurement so I can only tell you to wait it out. Check your parameters every other day for the next week or two 'til your amnoina is at 0, nitrites are at 0 and your nitrates are less than 5ppm.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Ok Tek, you convinced me. I did about a 70% wc this evening. The water looks a whole lot better (was looking kinda greenish). Also had the opportunity to pry off some of the dead stuff. Sheesh that's an experience i'm not looking forward to again. Sure glad my wife talked me into curing this stuff in the garage and not my livingroom (what was I thinking?!?).

BTW, there are alot of sites out there that sell LR and recommend you check the ammonia and once ammonia goes to 0 place in established tank. No mention of nitrites!!! This seems a bit irresponsible. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Mike

 

[TekCat]

Good deal Mike. I had cycled tank / cured LR in tank in my living room.... My fiance was not happy to say the least

 

[jeffb3t]

That's funny... I just told my GF to light some candles to hide the smell. After all, It's just for a few weeks.